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In addition to the various apologies freshly-embattled South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said he owed to his wife, his four children, and the good people of his state, he owes something else to the cable news-viewing public: chiropractic work.

Anybody who watched the governor’s repentant press conference Wednesday afternoon was bound to have tweaked a muscle, what with all the inevitable cringing.

Sanford led his mea culpa with a rambling preamble that started off with him fondly recalling his time in high school organizing hiking trips in the Appalachian trails – where he was supposed to have been last week – and ended with him “crying in Argentina,” a line that all but guarantees an uptick in “Evita” Netflix requests this month.

Nor was Sanford well served by the backdrop of teenagers at the press conference in Columbia, who snickered and rolled their eyes as he confessed to having an affair with an Argentine woman.

The lone saving grace was that viewers weren’t subjected to watching another politician’s wife stand next to the podium with a pained look on her face: Jenny Sanford was not in attendance Wednesday.

Other than that, it was 20 minutes of straight, Steve Urkle-on-ice-skates awkwardness, one of the most uncomfortable-to-watch political press conferences ever. Here’s the ignominious group it joined:

Spitzer goes down

Two days after being enveloped in a call-girl scandal, former New York governor Elliot Spitzer announced his resignation at a terse press conference in Manhattan in March of last year. Spitzer’s wife Silda stood beside him, sighing heavily. She arched her eyebrow when he said, “Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the love and compassion they have shown me.”

Vitter stays put

In July 2007, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) said he'd committed "a very serious sin""after his phone number was discovered in the little black book of the alleged- - DC Madam — Deborah Jean Palfrey. As Vitter snapped at his "longtime political enemies," his wife, Wendy, stood there with a look of anguish that could melt the icecaps.

McGreevey comes out

Prompted by a sexual harassment lawsuit, former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey simultaneously announced his resignation from office and his coming out as a gay man, at a press conference in Aug. 2004. McGreevey’s then-wife, Dina, stood by the man she would soon divorce, as he spelled out the details: “From my early days in school, to the present day,” McGreevey said, “I acknowledged some feelings, a certain sense that separated me from others. But because of my resolve, and also thinking I was doing the right thing, I forced what I thought was an acceptable reality onto myself.”

Blago gets impeached

After the Illinois state House impeached Rod Blagojevich in January, the former governor took to a stage surrounded by residents he claimed to have helped during his time in office. Blagojevich, in a way only Blagojevich could do, tried to frame his impeachment as a struggle between him and the legislature over his efforts to expand health insurance in Illinois. Perhaps the only bearable way of watching this performance was on Fox News, where host Shepard Smith couldn’t help but interject with his thoughts during the live feed, like one of the chatty robots on Mystery Science Theater 3000. Eventually, Shep couldn’t take it anymore: “Where’s that guy from Iraq, that journalist from Iraq who threw that shoe at the president? Is he available?”

Readers' Comments (16)

If the Republican Party is to be taken seriously the hypocrisy must stop. We are all fallible human beings who need love, validation, and support. A modern day political party cannot govern by the motto do as I say, not as I do. When the Republican Party returns to traditional conservatism versus, Social or Religious Conservatism, they will find that more people agree with their message and their voting rolls might start to grow. But demonizing Hispanics, Homosexuals, and secular Humanist and other minorities will ultimately repel these individuals from the tent. As the old saying goes you get more with honey than with vinegar. One must not compromise his/her principles just treat others as you would be treated.

I don't understand why the Palin mention in this article. It's not her fault that she got the most questions asked of her at the RGA conference. People want to hear from her. I guess Politico just has to throw her in there to get more attention to their article.

Had to get PALIN in there, didn't you?! There is no EARTHLY reason why she should be included in this group EXCEPT that you wanted to use her to get hits. You're supposed to be a news site.., but everyone knows you're nothing but corrupt journalists carrying Obama's water and telling any lie necessary to destroy his challengers. Like the NYT, you're corruption will be your downfall.

Why is Sarah Palin's photo as part of the "awkward media moments". Why are you including her in this list of failed politicians? For people who do not read the article, there's an implication that she's part of that infamous list. Please remover her from that cover!!!

Everytime dumb-ass jounalists like Politico's Daniel Lickit publishes obvious slop like trying to put Sarah Palin in a category with Spitzer (because see stole the RNC show!) just helps the cause and makes her more attractive to people that can see see through Liberal propaganda diguised as a news article.... thanks Dan Sarah Palin - Baby!!!!

Why must we suffer through these Republican "ideas?" They're as manufactured (Luntz, where are you?) as their ridiculous "principles," which they piously through around while following them not at all.